Philadelphia – The road is where relievers go to fold. The crowd is angry, even if the stragglers in the smallest crowd ever at Citizens Bank Park were more interested in the Philadelphia Eagles’ draft than the Phillies’ at-bats.
The opposition’s lineup, at least on this raw, windy Tuesday, was potent. With runners aboard in the ninth, the Phillies appeared poised to apply a Vulcan death grip, rendering the Rockies helpless.
And yet on a night that could have been defined by a lead the Rockies gave up, it will be remembered as a game in which they continued to grow up. Closer Brian Fuentes didn’t flinch with alarms blaring, securing a 7-6 victory that lifted Colorado back into a first-place tie in the National League West.
“Man, they had no chance against him,” setup man Jose Mesa said. “It’s a good feeling when they are booing and you find a way to beat them. With Brian, we knew we could win if we got to the end.”
There’s no way around the fact – this was a bullpen win. Four Rockies relievers strung together 5 1/3 scoreless innings, including seven outs from rookie Ramon Ramirez, who leaves games with zeroes and mementos. But more on him later; Fuentes’ mesmerizing ninth-inning sequence demands more attention.
In his first appearance in a week because of back spasms, the funky left-hander handcuffed all-star Bobby Abreu. Then he threw a sweeping slider to Ryan Howard that appeared to start in Delaware before finishing on the outside corner as the Phillies slugger stared in disbelief. A weak popup ended the threat.
“I have never seen Abreu take a swing like that,” said Colorado manager Clint Hurdle, his Rockies 6-2 on the road, somewhat ahead of last year’s pace, when they didn’t pick up their sixth road win until June 30. “And he locked up Howard. That’s what (Fuentes) is capable of doing.”
At this point nothing seems out of reach for Ramirez, the last remaining remnant of the Shawn Chacon trade. He has been in the big leagues exactly two weeks, has collected three baseballs – from Tuesday’s first win, his first pitch and his first hit – and hasn’t allowed one run. Is it time for The Home Depot to widen his mantel?
“Well, we are going to get him the Cy Young, the Silver Slugger,” cracked reliever Ray King, “and the second MVP, since Albert Pujols has this year’s locked up.”
The bullpen rescued Hurdle, who stuck dangerously with starter Miguel Asencio as the Phillies batted around in a five-run fifth inning. The right-hander suffered concentration lapses as a six-run lead evaporated to a single run. He showed flashes, but showed why he was merely keeping the seat warm for Byung-Hyun Kim, who is expected to take over his rotation spot Sunday at Florida.
“That’s the direction we are leaning,” Hurdle said.
With the game in the balance and Hurdle ripe for second-guessing for his patience with Asencio, Ramirez calmly retired Howard. Ramirez has blanked opponents for nine innings, surrendering just three hits, part of a bullpen that has a 3.27 ERA overall and a 1.06 mark on the road.
“The baseballs are the same; the game is the same,” Ramirez said. “Everything that has happened is a bit surprising. But I just have to keep my focus, keep doing my job.”
The first of spring seems like a long time ago for catcher Danny Ardoin. Then he was enjoying success with a new closed batting stance. But a late-March slump has extended into the season. Ardoin is hitting .178 with 12 strikeouts in 45 at-bats as he continues to gradually lose playing time to Miguel Ojeda.
“Danny is still the starter,” manager Clint Hurdle said Tuesday.
Yorvit Torrealba, acquired to be the top catcher because of his offensive potential, threw to the bases, testing his right shoulder. He’s close to going out on a rehab assignment.
HEALING ROCKIES: First baseman Ryan Shealy (elbow) will play five innings in an extended spring game today. The Rockies could use the entire 20-day rehab window for Jorge Piedra (heel) as he regains his timing in Colorado Springs. Reliever Mike DeJean’s shoulder felt fine after long toss, and he is nearing a rehab assignment.
LOW-WATER MARK: For the fourth time this season, the Phillies established a new low attendance at Citizens Bank Park, with an announced crowd of 19,512.
